Have you ever taken a trip to the mailbox only to find someone else’s letters in the pile? Throwing it away or opening it is a felony, but there is a way to get rid of it legally.

What should you do?

Simply write “return to sender” or “no longer at this address” on the envelope. Next, mark out any barcodes, and put it back into the mailbox.

It’ll then be labeled “undeliverable,” and it will be hand inspected.

Take a look at Business Insider's video below for a full breakdown.

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez